Everyone feels anxiety from time to time. From Senior Citizens to children, we are subjects to moments of doubt, fear, and worry. However, when these feelings become constant and overwhelming it can become an anxiety disorder. It is important parents get educated on the differences between normal anxiety and excessive anxiety which can develop into anxiety disorders over time. Teens can benefit greatly from early intervention so it is important to know the signs. Anxious for no reason. Teens who have anxiety for no reason, anxiety over normal everyday events can be known to have anxiety disorder. If your child has apprehension over routines this can be a sign of excessive anxiety. If you child has apprehension over a big game they are playing in, a formal dance, or exams this is normal anxiety. Pay attention to what makes your child nervous. If it's every occurrence be sure to not easily dismiss the sign. Constant worry. It is normal to worry about certain events, but when your child is worrying about you leaving for the grocery store, going to the bathroom, or dropping them off at school this can be alarming. These are occurrences which should not throw your teen in anxiety, but if it does talk to them about why they are feeling the way they are feeling. Panic. Panicking over socializing with friends or family is a sign of heightened anxiety. Starting a new school, going into a brand new situation, or trying a new activity can cause normal panic, but when the panic is a result of something which is routine for your family this is excessive anxiety. Pay close attention to your child's behavior if you feel they exhibit some of these behaviors. There are many anxiety disorders and not every symptom equals a disorder, but it is very important to nurture our children s emotional needs as much as their physical ones. There are a lot of resources out there. Get educated. Get connected to what is going on emotionally and mentally with your child.

This May is Mental Health Month; A Positive Approach to Teen Health (PATH) is raising awareness of the important role mental health plays in our lives and encouraging members of the community to learn more about this important health issue.

When we think about cancer, heart disease, or diabetes, we don’t wait years to treat them. We start before Stage 4—we begin with prevention. So why don’t we do the same for individuals who are dealing with potentially serious mental illness?

About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health disorder sometime in their life, with first onset usually in childhood or adolescenceResearch shows that by ignoring mental health symptoms, we lose ten years in which we could intervene in order to change people’s lives for the better. During most of these years most people still have supports that allow them to succeed—home, family, friends, school, and work. Intervening effectively during early stages of mental illness can save lives and change the trajectories of people living with mental illnesses.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition is to take a mental health screening. Go to www.mhascreening.org to take a screening for either depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Use your screening results to start a conversation with your primary care provider, or a trusted friend or family member and begin to plan a course of action for addressing your mental health.

Teens consistently say that parents—not peers, not partners, not popular culture—most influence their decisions about relationships and sex. That’s right...believe it or not; your teens want to hear from YOU. And that can be a lot of pressure...but it doesn't have to be.

The following eight tips are meant to guide you through a thoughtful, rational, and (hopefully) slightly less awkward conversation with the teens in your life about that most awkward topic: sex

Talk with your child about sex early and often (in age-appropriate ways) and be specific about your family’s values and expectations about sex and dating.

Cultivate a culture of openness in your family—be an ask-able parent and allow your child to share their feelings without fear of reprisal or derision.

Don’t assume that your child’s emotions aren't valid just because they are young.Young people’s emotions are very real so respect your child if they tell you that they are in love.

Listen as much as—or more than—you talk. Your words are important, but equally important is making sure that your child feels that their voice is being heard and respected.

Talk honestly with your child about sex, love, and relationships; you don’t have to be a biology text book. Just be real.

Don’t assume that, just because your child is asking you about sex, contraception, or dating, that they are sexually active or have a boyfriend/girlfriend.

Telling your child not to have sex is not enough. Explain why you believe that delaying sex until they are older is the right choice.

Don’t give up. Even if your child stonewalls you or appears uninterested in (or horrified by) these conversations, it’s your job as their parent to keep talking. Trust us—it makes a difference.

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A Positive Approach to Teen Health (P.A.T.H) is a 501(c)3 organization that reaches seven counties throughout Northwest Indiana. Since 1993, A Positive Approach to Teen Health has been working to empower teens to make healthy choices regarding drugs, sex, alcohol, and violence.